Runner-up: TES/NASEN Book Awards (Books for Teaching and Learning Category) 2005

'Excellent: it meets a real need on the part of learning mentors going into schools, who can be expected to sort out problems that staff with years of experience can't sort out and to act as a sponge for all sorts of trauma and emotion'

'This is something schools can keep on hand: not a complete training package, but useful. The contacts sections, for example the one on bereavement, are invaluable: learning mentors are expected to know a bit about everything' - comments from the TES/NASEN book awards panel

'This practical resource, based on development work in a large high school, covers a wide range of topics and provides an excellent 'starter pack' for new mentors and anyone involved in their induction' - SENCO Update

`This book landed on my desk this morning and I just had to include it! It is aimed at LMs, TAs and teachers and is a really useful resource. It comes with a CD ROM (Adobe Acrobat needed) and is part of Lucky Duck Publications, which is well-known for producing quality resources in the field of emotional literacy. There are thirteen chapters on: Emotional Intelligence, Self-Esteem, Anger Management, Bereavement, Self-harm, Drug Awareness, Bullying, Behaviour Change, Transition, Attendance, School Refusal and Punctuality, Revisions and Friendship.

Many of you will recognise these themes as areas in which you work and may already have resources for these areas but these are conveniently put together in one book. It is aimed at pupils at the upper end of KS2 up to KS4. Each chapter contains information around each topic, plus photocopiable worksheets such as emotions cards, stories, ideas for games and activities and links to websites. Most of these can be adapted to suit the needs of different schools and to facilitate working within the school's policies. I would especially recommend this book to people who are new to these roles or who are setting up emotional literacy groups within schools for the first time, but established groups would also find them useful' - Teaching Assistant News

Learning mentors are well established in our schools as a skilled and resourceful adjunct to the staff group. They bring a varied background of training and expertise, often adding additional accomplishments to those of the teaching staff.

This publication is produced by two colleague mentors who have researched the information and produced the resources they needed to do their job well. The book provides a factual introduction to the range of special needs they encounter amongst the students they support:

* Self-Esteem

* Emotional and behavioural difficulties

* Anger management

* Self harm.

In addition they include support strategies, interventions and some copiable resources based on their own experiences and good practice. This is a great book for mentors, TAs and teachers - keep it on the staff room coffee table.

Kathy Salter worked for nearly six years as a Learning Mentor in a large Leeds High School and now works for the Leeds Youth Offending Service as a Youth Justice Worker. She now has an M.Ed in Social Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties, and is currently researching for a PhD in youth justice.

Rhonda Twidle has worked with children and adolescents as a Learning Mentor in a Leeds High School and as a Support Worker in Tyneside. She is now a qualified Probation Officer in West Yorkshire and currently on secondment working with young people and families who are at risk of breakdown or involved in anti social behaviour.